New Jersey Butterflies

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

Papilio glaucus

Identification: Very large—nearly 5" (much larger than Monarch). Above: FW and HW striking yellow and black. Black stripe along inner wings paralleling body (also visible below) is thinner than on Canadian Tiger. Females have blush of bright blue near base of tails. Below: Yellow and black colors more muted. Blue on females visible. Submarginal yellow line on FW is interrupted by black into separate spots (this line is continuous on Canadian). Dark individuals, which are always females, can range from dusky to nearly black, but in most cases a "ghost" tiger pattern is clearly visible on the undersides of the wings. Dark females resemble Spicebush and Black swallowtails but lack the inner band of orange spots on the underside of the HW.

NJ Status and Distribution: Resident. Common and widespread throughout.

Flight Period: Early April to mid-October with peaks in May to early June, and July to mid-August. The summer brood is usually far larger than the spring brood. Extreme dates: North Jersey 4/1—10/19; South Jersey 3/31—10/15.

Larval Food Plants: Black Cherry (Prunus serotina) and Tuliptree (Liriodendron tulipifera), both of which are common native trees of upland deciduous forests.